Bought great wing chair at an estate sale. Great condition except:

[Paper Roses]

The prior owner must have used Brylcream or some kind of hair oil. There are stains on the inside wings that are obviously from resting his head on the sides. I know it has been there for some time.

I tried an old can of Woolite upholstery cleaner. No luck. Maybe cleaners are better now, this can must be 10 years old at least.

I want to keep the chair. The rest of the chair is in mint condition and just the right color. Anyone have any luck with a particular brand or home made solution?

Thanks for any ideas.

[grasswire]

1. can you just use an antimacassar?

If you've washed the chair, then the only problem is really appearance. So maybe some kind of fabric panel or throw or somethin' could cover the trouble.

I don't know what would get old hair oil out. :-(

[Stinky The Clown]

2. We have an old chair like that

It is a beauty of a chub arm chair from the forties. We decided to just use it as is.

[Paper Roses]

3. Love that word, antimacassar. Have not heard it in ages.

In this case, I don't think that would do. It is on the inside of the top of the wings. If the arms were this way, I would use two of the beautiful old linen ones I have.

I'm going to keep trying, got some ideas from the 'Google'. Even if I could lighten the areas in question, it would look better.

I remember as a kid going to my grandmothers house where every upholstered chair had something draped over the arms. My grandfathers favorite chair also had something draped over the back and held with some kind of pin at the top of the back. I can feel that stuff right now. I believe it was called mohair. Rough and scratchy maroon sofa and big dark blue armchairs. Like cast iron, felt like you were sitting on coarse sand or something equally rough.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Maybe try some K2r?

It's a solvent that works kind of like dry cleaning.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Home-33200-TRVLSZ-Lifter/dp/B0011197II

[pengillian101]

5. I would try a baking soda mixture.

http://www.armandhammer.com/baking-soda-and-air-care/Products/arm-and-hammer-baking-soda.aspx

Then vacuum.